All Obituaries - Text

Posted: Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Amarillo

The Rev. John Mourer

The Rev. John Mourer, 89, of Amarillo died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007.

Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with military honors by the Blue Knights Honor Guard from Altus Air Force Base. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Polk Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Marty Hamrick officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street.

John Mourer retired from the U.S. Air Force at Amarillo Air Force Base and lived and worked here the rest of his life because "he loved the people of the Panhandle." After his theological training, he served Polk Street United Methodist Church and retired as associate pastor.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Jane.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Eleanor; two daughters, Maureen Witcher and husband Donald and Connie Schofield and husband Donald; a son, John Wiley Mourer Jr. and wife Merla of Ardmore, Okla.; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home Benton Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive, with Paul Dunn of Bethel Baptist Church in Canyon officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery.

Mr. Rodgers was born Aug. 16, 1946, in Mount Pleasant to Floyd and Metta Rodgers. He was raised in Amarillo and McLean and graduated from McLean High School in 1965.

He worked as a boilermaker for 20 years. Mr. Rodgers retired from the city of Amarillo Streets Department. He loved his Lord and was blessed to have had many friends. Mr. Rodgers was a member of First Baptist Church in Bushland. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Mary Enoree Thompson.

Survivors include a niece, Regina Hallford of Amarillo; a nephew, Roger I. Thompson of Amarillo; and great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 26, 2007

Johnny Roy Baria

Johnny Roy Baria, 72, of Amarillo died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007.

Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Hyacinth's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Johnny Roy Baria went home to be with Jesus on Sept. 24, 2007, at 9:45 a.m. in Amarillo. John was born on July 30, 1935, in East Carroll Parish, La. John was born to mother Irene E. Tippy and father Lonnie Baria. John was raised by his grandparents, Mamie Tippy and B.F. Tippy in Channelview.

John was a proud member of the class of '54 from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown and, shortly after graduation, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he honorably served for 23 years. John married Connie on June 22, 1978. In 1979, upon his retirement from the armed forces, John and the family moved back to his hometown of Channelview. During his life, John was employed by Schlumberger, San Jacinto Junior College, and retired from ITT Technical Institute. In 2001, John and Connie moved to Amarillo to be close to their grandchildren.

John was an avid fisherman, HAM radio operator (K5QKT), enjoyed woodworking and playing with his grandchildren and had an immense love for animals. John was an awesome Little League baseball coach and had a special love for the Houston Astros.

Most of all, John loved the Lord. In Channelview, John served the Lord as an active member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in addition to being a member of the Knights of Columbus. After moving to Amarillo, the family joined St. Hyacinth's Catholic Church. He was an RCIA sponsor, a Sunday school teacher and Eucharistic minister. He will be missed greatly!

Special thanks to BSA sixth-floor cancer staff, BSA Hospice and the parish of St. Hyacinth's Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Connie Baria; a daughter, Francine Goff, her husband and their five children; a son, Eric Baria, his wifeandtheir two children; a daughter, Lisa Bray and her two children; and a son, Mark Brewer, his wifeandtheir three children.

Visitation will be from 5 to p.m. today at the funeral home.

Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 26, 2007

Mary Evelyn Robinson

Mary Evelyn Robinson, 61, of Amarillo died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007.

Services will be held at a later date by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Mrs. Robinson was born May 30, 1946. She passed away of natural causes at her home.

Survivors include her husband, Larry Robinson; four daughters, Cindy and husband Craig, Loretta, Dona and Patti; a sister, Patricia Gonzalez; six grandchildren, Tasha, Alan, Kristen, Whitley, Shelby and Zachary; and four great-grandchildren, Talon, Ayvae, Braedon and one on the way.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Restlawn Cemetery in Liberal, Kan., with the Rev. Andrew Wehling officiating. Arrangements are by Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home of Liberal.

Mrs. Creathbaum was born Sept. 1, 1920, in Columbus, Neb., to George Paul and Martha Ida Jaeger Wolf. She married Jesse D. Creathbaum on Jan. 15, 1944, in Lincoln, Neb.

Survivors include a son, David Michael Creathbaum of Amarillo; a daughter, Susan Marie Creathbaum Gill of Amarillo; a brother, Albert Wolf of Pueblo, Colo.; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, in care of the funeral home, 1212 W. Second, Liberal, KS 67901.

Mr. Richard was born March 17, 1923, in Valliant, Okla., to Ed and Rebecca Richard. He married Lou Wanda Gentry on June 4, 1946, in Davis, Okla. He served in the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion.

He graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma University and received his master's from Oklahoma University. He taught and coached middle school in Clinton, Okla. Mr. Richard served at Amarillo College as professor and assistant to the dean until his retirement. He served at Buchanan Street Mission Food Pantry. He also volunteered at BSA Hospital and attended and served at First Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 10 brothers and sisters; and his loving wife of 50 years, Lou Wanda Richard.

Survivors include a sister, Jack Box; a daughter, Virginia Pair and husband Bill; a son, Dickie Richard and wife Sharon; and four grandchildren, Richie and Steven Pair and Colton and Arianna Richard

The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church, 1208 S. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79101-4296.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church with the Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl Jr., bishop of the Diocese of Northwest Texas, the Rev. Clifton Mann, rector, and the Rev. Jo Mann, associate to the rector, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

John was born Sept. 4, 1969, in Austin, where he lived most of his life. John loved traveling, skiing and mountain biking and had backpacked extensively through Europe. He was working as a computer game designer for Collective Studios in California.

Survivors include his parents, Lesley and John Watson III of Amarillo; a sister, Heather Watson of Austin; and a brother, Adam Watson of Fort Meade, Md.

The family suggests memorials be to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 120 Wall St., 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10005, www.afsp.org.

Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 26, 2007

Peggy June Zanchettin

Peggy June Zanchettin, 73, of Amarillo died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007.

Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Peggy was born June 20, 1934, to Compton "Shorty" and Jessie Mae Alexander in Chickasha, Okla. She was one of six children, the baby of the family. At the age of 2, Peggy's family moved to Texas. She attended Amarillo High School. She married Marcus Zanchettin in 1953 in Clovis, N.M.

As a young mother, Peggy participated in an Amarillo women's bowling league and managed a returns warehouse for Save A Stop. The 1980s found her pig farming on a large scale, as well as volunteering at St. Anthony's Hospital, where she participated in the creation of the hospice program.

Peggy lived the way she died - just the way she wanted to. Her greatest loves were her husband, her children and her grandchildren. She was generous to a fault, giving time and resources to family, numerous charitable organizations and schools. Her hobbies included working outside in the yard, garden and flower beds, attending any activity her grandchildren participated in and getting ready for Christmas.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church in Groom with the Rev. David Kelly, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mr. Rose was born Jan. 21, 1930, in Elmore City, Okla., to Logan and Lillie Mae Garrett Rose. He married Mary Helen Mansel on July 23, 1967, in Amarillo. He was a resident of Oklahoma City prior to moving to Groom more than 45 years ago. He had been a maintenance worker much of his life before his retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Groom.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Helen Rose; a daughter, Terri Rose of Groom; a son, Michael Rose and wife Bethany of Amarillo; a sister, Sandra Jo Peery of Pauls Valley, Okla.; three grandchildren, Brooke, Madison, and Collin; and several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials be to Groom Ambulance Service or Groom Fire Department, P.O. Box 217Groom, TX 79039.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Palo Duro Baptist Church in Wildorado with Dr. Allie D. Balko of First Baptist Church in Medinas and Dean Whaley of Dalhart Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Palo Duro Cemetery in Wildorado by Boxwell Brothers of Vega.

Juanita was born Dec. 20, 1932, in McCamey to John Wesley and Maudie Estelle Hearon. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church in Cisco.

She was preceded in death by a son, Marcus Grantham, in 1996.

Survivors include her husband, Charlie Grantham; three daughters, Judy Hallgren and husband Mike of Las Vegas, Deborah Whaley and husband Dean of Dalhart and Teresa Higgins of Eastland; two sons, Dr. Allie Balko and wife LaNita of Medina and Danny Balko and wife Lyn of Dallas; a brother, Raymond Hearon and wife Darlene of Rankin; and 20 grandchildren.

Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home in Vega.

Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 26, 2007

Bess Yarbrough

MEMPHIS - Bess Yarbrough, 81, died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Daniel Downey, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington.

Mrs. Yarbrough was born Dec. 31, 1925, in Yoakum to William P. Garrett and Willie Schneider Garrett. She married H.R. Yarbrough on April 19, 1946, in Amarillo. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Zee McQueen, in 1994; a son-in-law, Buster McQueen, in 1993; and a grandson, Sawyer McQueen, in 1995.

Survivors include her husband, H.R. Yarbrough; two daughters, Dawn Ann Thompson of Rockwall and Debbie Henard of Wellington; two sisters, Jean Talley of Amarillo and Barbara Flynn of Evant; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church Sanctuary with Richard Miller, pastor of Happy Union Baptist Church, and Rodney Wallace, youth minister, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park by Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview.

Samara Korynne Jackson went to be with her mother, LeAndra Kay Jackson, and live in our Father's house on Sept. 22, 2007.

Our precious little butterfly has flown off to Heaven forever and will certainly be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her. She touched many lives with that shy little grin and her big beautiful eyes.

She was born Jan. 4, 2003, in Lubbock to LeAndra Kay Jackson, who preceded her in death on July 26, 2006.

Samara is survived by her grandparents, Roy and Sharon Jackson of Plainview; three uncles, Robbie Lynn Jackson of Kress, Christopher Michael Jackson of Canyon and Landon Jackson of Plainview; her great-grandparents, B.C. and JoNell Brannon of Borger and Marie Jackson and Donald McKelvy, both of Kress; and a host of other uncles, aunts, cousins and many, many friends.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Mary Ellen & Harvester Church of Christ with Glen Walton, minister of Bell Avenue Church of Christ in Amarillo, and Arvia Willingham, Church of Christ minister of Pampa, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Mrs. Barnett attended Tarleton State University and moved to Denison, where she worked for Western Union. She married Ernest Barnett on Feb. 29, 1945.

Survivors include her husband, Ernest Barnett; two sons, Jerry Barnett of Little Rock, Ark., and David Barnett of Portland; a daughter, Jana Barnhill of Lubbock; three sisters, Jo O'Donnell of Spring, Edith Tountas of Waco and Sally Richardson of Beaumont; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rock Island. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island with military honors by Moline American Legion Post No. 246. Arrangements are by Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home of Rock Island. Local arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.

Mr. Overdier was born Nov. 20, 1910, in Kansas City, Mo., to Frank and Minnie Spiess Overdier. He married Margaret Mary Blocklinger on Aug. 24, 1935, in Rock Island, and he later married Margaret Meyer McCandless on Sept. 4, 1965, in Rock Island.

Survivors include a son, Gary Overdier of Clovis; three granddaughters; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Rosella Seiberling and Mary Ellen Jackson, both of Phoenix.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Patterson Chapel CME Church with Bishop W. Charles Green and the Rev. Mary Washington officiating. Burial will be in Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood, Texas, by Muffley Funeral Home.

Mrs. Walker was born Oct. 10, 1926, to Booker T. and Fanny Mae Smith in Brownwood. She came to Clovis in the early 1940s and worked for a number of years in housekeeping at The Kings Inn Motel.

Survivors include two sons, Christopher Davis of Clovis and Bernard Pollard of Los Angeles; and a brother, Ray Smith of Dallas.